Thursday, August 24, 2023
Wednesday, August 23, 2023
Columbia Borough school board OKs commercial advertising in schools | Community News | lancasteronline.com
The board approved a change in school district policy to allow commercial advertising in schools. In a 6-0 vote, the board codified a contract with Market Street Sports Group to sell advertising/sponsorship rights to local businesses for the district's sports teams.
The school district receives 70% of net proceeds in a two-year agreement. No local advertisers have signed on with Columbia Borough schools yet. Sports facilities will not be part of the naming rights.
The district plans to use proceeds to fund future athletic programs.
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PA local governments might soon hire firms as managers · Spotlight PA State College
Local governments in Pennsylvania might soon have the option to hire professional firms to be municipal managers, a change that proponents say could improve local government services while saving taxpayers money.
Three sets of bills in the legislature would amend the governing laws for Pennsylvania boroughs, second class townships, and third class cities — classified by population sizes — and provide an alternative municipal management option. First class townships have had the choice since 2020.
Under current law, Pennsylvania municipalities can only appoint individuals as managers, a rule that state Rep. Bob Freeman (D., Northampton) said can be particularly burdensome for smaller communities that are unable to pay the salary and benefits of a full-time administrator or manager on their own.
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How to hold local PA officials accountable · Spotlight PA State College
Local government accountability involves everyone.
In January, Spotlight PA hosted a virtual panel on Pennsylvania's fragmented system of local government and how that setup affects municipal oversight.
Spotlight PA held a follow-up panel on Aug. 3 to discuss how Pennsylvanians can be better involved in local government and what to do when problems arise. Here are five takeaways from the conversation, which can be viewed in full on spotlightpa.org.
Throughout the discussion, the panelists stressed the need for the public to pay attention to local government, and emphasized the influence residents can have on municipal transparency. They lamented the decline of local news outlets, which had a long tradition of keeping residents informed. Without newsrooms, residents and officials can be further alienated from each other.
For local governments to be accountable, Elia said elected officials should try to make public information easily accessible to constituents and listen to them even if opinions differ. Primm said municipalities should take professional management seriously and promote strong ethics and technical competence among staff. And Fogle advised Pennsylvanians to talk with their neighbors and all their local officials, including those on authorities, advisory boards, or commissions.
"Accountability is certainly to have a fair process, to hear what all the opinions are, and to look at what is best for the community," Fogle said.
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Sheriffs and K-9 seen near 3rd & Cherry Tuesday morning
[Submitted photos]
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